Nigerian Man Jailed Eight Years for $6m Inheritance Scam in US
A Nigerian national has been sentenced to more than eight years in a United States prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of over $6 million.
According to court documents, the convict was found guilty of participating in an elaborate scam in which victims were falsely informed that they were beneficiaries of large foreign inheritances. The victims were then instructed to pay various fees, including legal and administrative charges, before the supposed funds could be released.
Investigators revealed that the scheme primarily targeted elderly individuals across several US states, exploiting their trust and lack of familiarity with international financial transactions. The proceeds from the fraud were laundered through multiple bank accounts to conceal their origin.
US prosecutors described the crime as a “deliberate and calculated fraud” that caused significant financial and emotional harm to vulnerable victims, many of whom lost their life savings.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the Nigerian man to pay restitution to the victims and forfeited assets linked to the proceeds of the crime.
The sentencing forms part of ongoing efforts by US authorities to crack down on cross-border financial crimes and internet fraud, often carried out by international criminal networks.
American law enforcement agencies reiterated their commitment to working with foreign partners to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals involved in cyber-enabled fraud and financial scams.
